Different Birds, Different Reinforcements

“I have a male african timeth grey who is scared, I have learned to let him get out of the cage on his own to the top, I try to give him the up command but, he rather bite lol, but then I thought of a soda cap * plastic* that he eyed and I got it and he looked as if wanting to get it, so I held it up over his head and moved my hand to his chest and told him to step up and he did, now when I want him to get on my hand I use the pop cap trick. I keep doing it hoping he will just get on my hand without wanting to take a chunk out of me”

- Linda

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I love that you shared this, Linda!

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This is a perfect example of a bird who found its own reinforcement. Where some people would use food or petting, or even praise, you are using a plastic soda cap!

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My mom actually ended up teaching my cockatoo how to retrieve because my cockatoo was so interested in picking up soda caps. It came naturally and was the very first behavior Bondi was ever taught. Now I’m having a hard time teaching my other birds to retrieve because they just don’t have the similiar interests like Bondi did.

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I think it’s great you found something you bird is willing to “work for” and it’s a great reinforcement to use to step up. I just want to say again that your bird’s reward may be different than what Chet, Dave or I am using on our own birds. Just because we use sunflower seeds or cashews, doesn’t mean you bird is going to respond the same way to those rewards.